Hey! The live invite-only webcast from Sprint and Palm just started. First words: we’d say nothing about availability (which is sometime during first half of the year) and about pricing … ohh, they’ll just show off how great it is. 

Refresh this page, as we’ll put live updates here! Also you can follow us on twitter, @webosarena

They talk about the history – how Sprint and Palm are always together … 

Now it is time to say how great Sprint’s 3G network is.

It is an interesting hardware, they will show it off now

Of course they mentioned the CES 09 awards.

The design is curved, it feels well in the hand, the gesture area continues below the screen – yeah, great but we already know it.

3.5mm jack for music, power button, replaceble battery, microUSB – oh my god, this must be better than the iPhone. 

Let’s check the UI now:

The synergy – you chat with a friend, they change their phone number in Facebook and it updates in your phonebook – great.

The calendar shows not only the phone one, but also Google calendar and Facebook events – Synergy

Synergy in email – Google, Outlook, Exchange, combined inbox.

We have a real keyboard – great! They now said how great it is and how much  better than on-screen one.

It’s time to show off with the universal search, “enter B and it shows Bluetooth, continue to type and … ”

The browser is as good as before – multi-touch and double tap for zoom, rotate to change orientation.

A few words about notifications.

Touchstone time wireless charging baby! A call comes and it is at speakerphone.

Bluetooth stereo – yet another feature the iPhone lacks.

Q&A time – remember it will launch H1 and there is no info on pricing!

Will all Sprint services be on the Pre – some of them, NFL, Nascar, Navigation

Central button – same as on CES 2009

Stupid question – will it launch H1 09 – Yes, YES!

Will Pre support Flash – yes, before the end of the year.

Is there a limit to the number of cards – yes it depends on the memory (the memory that an app uses)

They say that is not a problem, people don’t want a hundred apps opened at the same time …

Sprint is doing its best so the touchstone will be available at Sprint stores.

Will Palm continue to develop Windows Mobile phones – Yes, yes we will.

Will there be an app store – yes, over the air apps for the Palm, details coming later.

Why no memory expansion slot – they couldn’t have done this product with this keyboard, design etc and still include a slot.

Will there be gaming apps – casual games (we’ll talk about games later), simple web games.

Will there be other options for developers besides HTML, CSS, Javascript – dev webinar in two weeks!

Why Pre ?

Jokes about pre-launch, pre-miere, they are funny.

More details about ReadyNow – they will make sure you know everything about the Pre, how it works, etc so they make sure you won’t return it

When you know how to fully use it , you will really be satisfied !

They say nobody reads these multi-hundred pages manuals … There will not be one with the Pre! ReadyNow will offer you a LIVE manual.

How you find something – Browser – Google – Type, it is much greater just to start typing as on the Pre.

One last question – what specific plan is needed for the Pre?

As low as $69 – unlimited data 450

For this devices YOU NEED unlimited data – believe Sprint, otherwise you will have bad experience.

They’re running out of time … They thank us for being audience, we Thank you for reading !